Beliefs exist about the influence of the moon on our sleep, but are they really founded? Many people have difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night or even poor quality sleep during a full moon. Discover in this article the truth from the falsehood and our advice to better prepare for it.
Indeed, the moon is responsible for many phenomena on our planet such as the rise of tides thanks to its gravitational attraction. We also often hear that the moon has an influence on a woman's menstrual cycle or even on the sap: when it is ascendant or rising, the moon accentuates the rise of the sap. And who hasn't already heard someone around them say that the moon could also have an influence on the onset of childbirth, on the speed of regrowth or the strength of hair... so myth or reality?
In addition, many gardeners use the lunar calendar, particularly in biodynamic agriculture. The moon therefore has a much greater influence than we think.
The moon: natural satellite of the earth
The moon is the only permanent natural satellite of planet Earth and is one of the largest natural satellites in the solar system. The moon follows a very specific cycle. In fact, approximately every 29.5 days, it completes a complete cycle called the lunation and goes through 8 different phases including the full moon.
During the full moon, the moon appears round and bright because the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. When she is invisible, they are both aligned on the same side of the Earth. The Moon is only visible thanks to the light it reflects from the Sun. We therefore see his illuminated face from different angles.
The moon and sleep
Difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night, poor quality sleep or even a shortened night are some of the effects that some people may experience during the full moon. But what is it really?
An American study published in January 2021 in the journal Sciences Advances demonstrates the influence of the moon on our sleep. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the light of the moon that prevents us from sleeping...
Indeed, the researchers carried out their study with several different populations: urban with access to light, rural with access to light and rural without access to light. All three populations are impacted by the full moon despite exposure to artificial light. The results strongly suggest that human sleep is synchronized with lunar phases, independent of ethnic and sociocultural background, and level of urbanization. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the nighttime lighting caused by the moon but rather its gravitational attraction that affects our sleep.
This study raises the possibility that the moon's gravity may have a specific effect on sleep depending on the time of day.
A Swiss study, published in the journal Current Biology, also highlighted sleep problems linked to melatonin levels and the lunar cycle. Melatonin is a natural hormone that prepares our body for sleep. The researchers noticed that melatonin secretions would drop during the full moon while the rate would double during the new moon. Deep sleep is shortened by 30% during the full moon. Once again, this proves that it is not the light that the moon gives off because the participants slept in complete darkness.
In the three to five days before the Full Moon, people fall asleep later, about 30 minutes on average, and sleep shorter, 46 to 58 minutes on average, whether in the countryside or in the city.
How to combat the effects of the full moon?
There's not much we can do to combat the effects of the full moon, but a few tips can still help you.
Natural remedies can be real allies for this. For example, you can put a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow or diffuse it in your bedroom before going to sleep. Plants are also recommended to promote sleep such as valerian.
Bach Flowers for better sleep
Certain Bach Flowers can promote sleep. It will be important to choose the Bach Flower according to the emotions felt.
Bach Flower No. 35 - White chestnut
It helps with persistent thoughts that prevent you from concentrating, exhaust you and prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. White chesnut will soothe your mind and bring it rest.
Bach Flower No. 2 – Aspen / Tremble
It will be effective when we have apprehensions or worry for no particular reason.
Bach Flower No. 20 – Mimulus / Mimule
It helps in cases of well-identified fears or phobias.
What to take away from this article?
The full moon can amplify sleep disorders due to its gravitational action and its impact on melatonin levels. So what if we tried to follow the lunar cycles to prepare in advance with natural remedies on full moon evenings? It is not for nothing that we recommend starting a Bach Flower treatment at the start of a lunar cycle.
Sources
- https://www.science.org
- https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/actualites/sommeil-science-decalee-on-dort-moins-bien-nuits-pleine-lune
- http://societeastronomique.uliege.be/astronomie-pratique/articles/le-cycle-de-la-lune/
- https://sante.journaldesfemmes.fr
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